Best Football Boots 2022: Top Picks For Strikers, Defenders, And More
There’s a lot to consider when looking for the best football boots, especially with the wide variety of options to choose from that make it hard to know which pair is right for you.
While a pair of the are essential for playing on artificial surfaces, football boots are vital for grip and control on a traditional grass pitch.
So, to help kick off your search, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks based on price, user reviews, and unique features that make these boots stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’re searching for something built for defending, like these adidas Kaiser 5‘s, or you’re in need of a pair built to play up top, like these Puma Future Z 1.2‘s, we’ve got you covered right here.
We also highlight a few upcoming releases for you to mark in your diary to keep you in the loop with some of the latest news surrounding football boots.
Best Football Boots
- Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite
- adidas Copa 20+
- Nike Premier II
- New Balance Furon V6+ Pro
- adidas Kaiser 5
- adidas Predator Freak .1
- Puma Future Z 1.2
Best Football Boots – Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite
Brand: Nike | Material: Flyknit | Stud Type: FG Chevron Studs
Nike is one of the leading manufacturers of sportswear around, making everything from football boots to some of the on the market.
That said, these Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite‘s look to be a great example of the brand’s expertise.
They’re made from a stripped-down version of Flyknit, leaving only what is truly needed to keep weight to a minimum.
Moreover, the boots feature Aerotrak zones in the forefoot areas, with grooves for improved explosive acceleration. Chevron studs then feature underneath, designed to provide multi-directional traction with every step.
Ultimately, the Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite‘s look to be a standout pair of football boots to take your game to the next level.
Best Premium Football Boots – adidas Copa 20+
Brand: adidas | Material: Leather | Stud Type: Conical Moulds
Like Nike, adidas are at the very top of the football game with athletes like Lionel Messi, Mo Salah, and Paul Pogba wearing its boots during televised fixtures you can watch on your .
The Copa 20+ boots have a lot to live up to as they don the classic Copa name, but these premia laceless, leather boots do the name justice as they combine both quality and comfort in one shoe.
Being laceless, you should get a much cleaner, uninterrupted strike, making them ideal for any forward or attacking player out there looking to get the ball past a pair of .
Furthermore, the uppers are designed for both comfort and durability, and are reinforced with foam padding on the inside to create a pair of football boots that should last for years to come.
Not only do with think these are a top pair of boots for match days, but we also featured them in our list of the best equipment for the as well.
Best Football Boots On A Budget – Nike Premier II
Brand: Nike | Material: Kangaroo Leather | Stud Type: Studs
The Premier II continues the Premier line of providing you with a quality leather football boot for a relatively affordable price.
The leather upper has been designed to be both soft but tough, meaning these Nike boots should withstand a lot of wear a tear accumulated out on the pitch, ideal for your typical Sunday league game.
For those who don’t enjoy some of the more wacky and colorful designs of the Nike Mercurial’s for example, these boots offer you a classic, almost retro design which is more simplistic to help you remain understated during your game.
The lack of technology this boot has in comparison to others on the market help continue the simplicity and reduces their price tag, meaning they will most likely suit anyone looking for just a pure football boot without the bells and whistles attached.
Best Football Boots For Acceleration – New Balance Furon V6+ Pro
Brand: New Balance | Material: Nylon | Stud Type: Triangular Moulds
Unlike Nike and adidas, New Balance is relatively new to the football landscape but has quickly become one of the leading boot manufacturers around.
The Furon V6+ Pro‘s are a great example of a reliable and modern bit of kit, designed with speed in mind as their lightweight nylon-knitted upper means nothing should weigh you down as you burst off from the mark to chase down a perfectly weighted through-ball.
The slightly raised ankle collar offers you additional support during quick turns of pace, meaning your boot will likely stay firmly attached in all manner of weather and pitch conditions.
The forefoot area is kept clear from anything that might stifle your touch and shots like laces, making them more beneficial for anyone playing a more attacking or creative role in their team.
Best Football Boots For Defenders – adidas Kaiser 5 Liga
Brand: adidas | Material: Leather | Stud Type: Conical Moulds
Named after the legendary German defender Franz Beckenbauer, aka ‘Der Kaiser’, this boot pays homage to the classic, no-nonsense style of the ’70s and ’80s era of football.
The Kaiser 5‘s are made out of strong, durable leather, emulating the style of play of defenders, but should give you peace of mind as they are likely to withstand any punishment you throw at them, just like a .
The aesthetics of these boots often draw a lot of comparisons with the infamous Copa Mundial’s, but one feature that gives the Kaiser 5‘s an edge is they are slightly more lightweight to help when you need to inject some pace into your game.
Additionally, these boots can be used on a variety of surfaces including astroturf due to their conical moulds which have been designed to provide exceptional grip on all kinds of pitches, making them great all-round football boots for every scenario.
Best Football Boots For Control – adidas Predator Freak .1
Brand: adidas | Material: Synthetic | Stud Type: FG Moulds
adidas Predator’s have been worn by some of the most talented midfielders of all time including the likes of Gerrard, Zidane, and Kaka.
With adidas’s latest design, the Predator Freak .1‘s, you get a lightweight upper with spikes on the outside to increase friction with the ball, therefore, they should help to improve your control.
Moreover, they come in a variety of colours including a Wolverine-inspired design which may interest you if you’re a fan of X-Men and want a unique pair of football boots.
On the whole, the Predator Freak .1‘s should be well worth considering, especially if you play in the centre of the park.
Best Football Boots For Strikers – PUMA Future Z 1.2
Brand: Puma | Material: Textile/Synthetic | Stud Type: FG Studs
The Puma Future Z 1.2 features some of the latest and most advanced technology to give you the edge on the pitch, particularly if you’re a striker, which is why we featured them in our list of the .
For example, they come with Puma’s FUZIONFIT, which utilises an adaptive compression band, designed to deliver an exceptional fit and lock-down to keep you agile against defenders.
Moreover, they feature FG studs rather than moulds which should give you a bit more grip when accelerating away to beat the offside trap.
All in all, we feel these Puma Future Z 1.2‘s are well worth considering if you’re on the hunt for a top pair of football boots.
Latest Football Boot News
With new football boots seemingly dropping each week, we’ve decided to keep you updated with all the latest goings-on surrounding the footwear right here.
adidas Al Rihla World Cup Boot Pack Leaked
Early images of the new adidas Copa Sense boots to feature as part of the 2022 World Cup “Al Rihla” pack have emerged online.
The colourway is reminiscent of the now released “Al Rihla” football, combining a mixture of bright reds, greens, oranges, and blues to give an overall multi-coloured aesthetic.
If these sound like boots for you, then keep an eye out for their arrival around November 2022, most likely just in time for the start of the first-ever winter World Cup.
adidas Copa Sense Shadowportal Boots Leaked
A first look at the new “Shadowportal” Copa Sense boots has emerged online which showcases a simple black and red colour scheme combined with subtle hints of Solar Green.
In terms of performance, the boots will likely be made from the same K-leather and arrive with Sensepods in the heels for a more optimal fit.
A release is expected at some point in July, but stay tuned for further updates right here.
PUMA Due To Release Mercedes F1 Ultra Boots
PUMA is reportedly releasing a new pair of Ultra 1.4 boots in collaboration with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team.
The new Ultra boots are said to feature the iconic silver and spectra green colours of the reign constructors’ champions.
There have been no images of the PUMA Ultra’s thus far; however, they will likely be revealed soon if the current rumoured release date of May/June 2022 is to be believed. Stay tuned to find out more right here.
New Nike Phantom GT 3’s Spotted In Training
The latest Nike Phantom boots have been spotted, showcasing the next-gen GT 3 design for the first time.
In addition to the regular knitted collar of the Phantom’s, it appears the boots will also feature a unique mesh covering over the laces.
The GT 3’s are expected to arrive at some point before August 2022, so stay tuned to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football Boots
With so many variations of football boots out there, you probably have a few queries about them, but we’re here to clear up a few of the most common questions.
What Size Should I Buy?
Football boots are notoriously difficult to buy in the right size as each brand has its own unique style which means a pair of boots from Nike will differ in size from a pair of boots from New Balance.
Getting the right size is vital for comfort and performance and a good way of checking is by measuring your foot’s dimensions and comparing your readings to the boots size guide or chart.
Nike boots tend to be slightly bigger than say adidas or Puma boots, but it is definitely worth measuring to avoid having to send them back if they don’t fit.
What Do The Different Studs Mean?
When buying new boots, you might have come across terms such as SG, FG, and AG, but don’t be fooled as they are not new positions on a football pitch.
SG simply refers to soft ground and will likely mean the boots in question have classic, screw-in studs which are more suited to your standard grassy Sunday league pitch.
FG means firm ground and tends to include boots with moulds or blades which benefit you when you’re playing on a grass surface that is slightly more solid but still has a bit of give to it.
If you happen to play the majority of your football on astroturf, 3G, or 4G pitches then you might want to look out for AG, or artificial ground boots which tend to come with shorter, rounded moulds that don’t ruin these special surfaces.
Are Leather Or Knitted Boots Better?
This really depends on your style of play and what you are looking for from your football boots.
Leather boots tend to be more comfortable to wear and durable as they are often thicker than the knitted fabric, but also slightly heavier so might not be beneficial for someone who looks to utilise their pace.
As well as being lighter, knitted boots open the door to more features like being laceless, so often suit attacking players more as they’re after the cleanest strike of the ball possible, however, they tend to lack the longevity of the leather alternatives.
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